Morecambe FC crisis: Shrimps suspended from National League - reaction

Monday, 28 July 2025 18:24

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Tarnia Elsworth, chair of the Shrimps Trust, outside Morecambe Football Club on Monday afternoon.

The chair of a Shrimps supporters group and the town's MP have spoken out after Morecambe Football Club was suspended from the National League.

Tarnia Elsworth, chair of the Shrimps Trust, spoke to Beyond Radio outside the club on Monday afternoon - as 'Save Our Shrimps' and 'Football is Broken' banners were displayed outside the ground.

And Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said she was "disappointed and not surprised" at the league's decision.

Morecambe were due to start the new season in the National League on August 9.

But the league said on Monday that the crisis-hit club was suspended with immediate effect, and would also be removed from the National League Cup competition for the 2025/26 season.

A league spokesperson said they will meet again on August 20 "to determine if outstanding items have been satisfied, and to decide the club’s ability to retain membership in the competition."

LISTEN to Tarnia Elsworth speaking on Monday

Ms Elsworth was speaking as a small gathering of fans joined a team from Sky Sports - there to cover the story for their own news bulletins - outside the stadium on Monday.

"Everybody feels like they're at a wake," she said.

"It's the atmosphere of, we all think it's over. The hope has gone. It feels like the inevitable is happening and it's coming to a close.

"Here we are, now under a suspension.

"We understand that if the club doesn't sell by that suspension date, then the National League really has to consider expelling us.

"The players, you've got to think now that they're going to be looking for opportunities elsewhere.

"How long can we expect them to hang around on a Hail Mary that Morecambe will be all right?

"We wish the lads the best (but) if they aren't guaranteed football here...even if the club sells, are we going to have a squad to compete in the National League next season?

"I don't know, we're going to see how it pans out.

"We've had a chat with a couple of the players (today). They are so gracious. They say don't apologise to us, it's not the fans' fault.

"Unfortunately (owner Jason) Whittingham can't get his house in order and sell the club."

Salaries for staff, including players and management, were due again today (July 28) and as we went to press, had not been paid - this after only a third of June salaries were met.

Despite this, club employees were working inside the stadium as normal on Monday, including playing staff.

"The staff, the players and manager haven't had a wage...everybody's got bills piling up," said Ms Elsworth.

"It's just a disgraceful, horrible situation. People that we love work at this club and they're just not getting any support."

The Shrimps have been up for sale since September 2022 and the process has dragged on while the club has twice been relegated in that time from a high point of League One.

It seemed a deal would finally be done after sports investment company Panjab Warriors was given clearance, in June, by the English Football League (EFL) to buy the club.

But after announcing he'd agreed terms to sell the club and saying it would happen on Monday July 7, Mr Whittingham - of owners Bond Group Investments - did a last-minute U-turn and announced plans to sell to another buyer.

Panjab Warriors then accused Mr Whittingham of holding the club hostage and threatened legal action.

Their most recent statement came on July 19, when they said formal legal notices of claim had been served to Mr Whittingham and Bond Group, that they had invited the owner "to meet with us to resolve matters" and that they remained "fully committed to the long-term future of Morecambe FC, its staff, supporters, and community".

Ms Elsworth said: "We've been in touch with Panjab Warriors until the middle of last week.

"They've gone quiet. What that means, I wouldn't like to speculate.

"We plea for Panjab Warriors to get in touch. We understand it's been a horrendous and frustrating time for them with Morecambe.

"It seems the tidiest way to get this resolved, is by Panjab Warriors and Bond Group doing a deal."

Mr Whittingham's most recent statement, released on Sunday, blamed "continual negative press statements" for a consortium interested in buying the club deciding to "pause".

He also said Bond Group "had agreed to an offer, made by a representative of, and on behalf of, the Panjab Warriors, and are ready to sell on that basis" but "despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them".

Beyond Radio has approached Panjab Warriors for comment.

Ms Elsworth said: "(Mr Whittingham) is the only person who's got himself in this siutuation and for him to blame anybody but himself is really disrespectful."

She said she believed he had "played a game with them and Panjab Warriors have had enough of it".

"They have put a lot of money into the club.

"I hope they're taking a few days to restock...and hopefully they and Jason can get around the table and do a deal before all this damage around us is too irreversible to salvage."

Ms Elsworth also said the trust "have to start preparing for a 'Phoenix Club', if Morecambe FC as an entity ceases to exist".

"There are loyal supporters who would want to come and watch football in Morecambe.

"You've got to hope that within a year we could pull something together and start again, further down the (football) pyramid.

"My view is that there will always be football in Morecambe. We want a club in Morecambe. There will be local people who will want to see a club rise from the ashes here."

Meanwhile Ms Collinge (below), said on Monday:

“I am obviously disappointed but not surprised at the suspension of Morecambe FC from the National League.

"This could have been sorted weeks ago if the owners had sold as planned to Panjab Warriors.

"Perhaps now Jason Whittingham will get his act together and complete the sale.

"The suspension is understandable given the league rules, but it feels like another smack in the face for Morecambe.

"My thoughts are mainly with the staff who still haven’t been fully paid. They are the real Morecambe FC, not Jason Whittingham.

"Everyone involved in the club has gone above and beyond. The Shrimps Trust has been fantastic, coordinating information and activity. The fans themselves have done everything they can to support their club. Minority shareholders and former board directors have taken whatever steps they have been able to. But ultimately action needs to come from the owner.

"It’s wrong that a town and its club are being held hostage by some bloke in Essex.

"The situation shows why the new football regulator is needed and I am just sad that this can’t be implemented retrospectively.

"I know (Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport) Lisa Nandy is extremely interested in what is happening and has backed my calls for the owner to get on with the sale.

"We are only in this mess because the owner refused to sell when the opportunity was there."

Beyond Radio has contacted Mr Whittingham (below) for comment.

Morecambe were due to play at Lancaster City in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday. The match has now been cancelled.

On Monday, a Lancaster City spokesperson said: "After the National League ruling suspending Morecambe Football Club from the division, we can confirm the friendly which was due to be played tomorrow (Tuesday 29th July) has been cancelled.

"The club had been in discussions with various clubs to get a replacement opponent, however we haven't been able to secure one.

"Our next and final pre-season friendly will be against National League North side AFC Fylde on Saturday 2nd August at 3pm.

"Details on refunds will be released in due course."

MORECAMBE FC CRISIS: TIMELINE OF EVENTS SO FAR

Friday June 27: The Morecambe FC board of directors reveal that the planned sale of the club to Panjab Warriors is on the brink of collapse, just weeks after the prospective new owners gained clearance from the English Football League (EFL) to proceed with a takeover. The board said owners Bond Group Investments were "considering reneging on the deal". Players and staff at the club were due to be paid their monthly salaries, but hadn't received the money from the owners.

Tuesday July 1: The board gives Bond Group an ultimatum, sell to Panjab Warriors or the club faces being put into administration. By this point, staff have been paid around a third of their wages.

Wednesday July 2: Jason Whittingham denies "stalling" over the deal, says he still intends to sell but that "any transfer of shares (has to be) done in a way that holds no recourse for either the club or Bond Group". He says he intends to "resolve the matter of staff salaries" and wants to "avoid administration at all costs". As such, he says he has begun the process of dismissing the board. All five board members - co-chairmen Rod Taylor and Graham Howse, and James Wakefield, Charles Appleyard and Mick Horton - are terminated as directors at Companies House, although minutes of a Shrimps Trust meeting reveals all five had resigned before this.

Thursday July 3: Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale (below), says in Parliament that the club is "in crisis". Both she and Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, call on Bond Group to complete the sale. In a further statement, Jason Whittingham says "work continues to complete the sale process and give Morecambe Football Club the fresh start the club and its community deserve". Sponsors Bay Camera and Communications Ltd say they will stop sponsoring the club until it is sold.

Friday July 4: Mr Whittingham says the long-awaited sale will complete on Monday July 7 and that final terms have been agreed with Panjab Warriors. The board of directors, he said, have been invited back to "support the final stages of the sale process". The five directors are then reappointed. The Shrimps Trust said they had spoken to Kuljeet Singh Momi of Panjab Warriors, who confirmed an agreement had been reached. But, said the trust: "If a deal is indeed agreed, we do not understand why it needs the weekend to complete."

Monday July 7: Mr Whittingham says the sale will not complete on Monday as extra time is needed for "final items" to be signed off and "it’s likely we will need tomorrow to complete the sale.’’ In response, the board of directors resign again. Mr Whittingham also says there has been "a campaign of abuse" against him and his family on social media and this has "put off at least two potential buyers" of the football club.

Tuesday July 8: Panjab Warriors say everything is ready for them to take charge and accuse Mr Whittingham of holding the club hostage. As the new Football Governance Bill passes through the Commons, Lizzi Collinge (below) calls on the Morecambe FC owner to "sign the damn paperwork". Morecambe beat Longridge 2-1 in their first pre-season friendly.

Wednesday July 9: Jason Whittingham says a new buyer has come forward and agreements will be signed "this evening". The Shrimps Trust respond by saying that the National League had not been made aware of the alternate buyer.

Thursday July 10: Panjab Warriors say they are "currently seeking legal advice and will begin exploring all legal avenues, including action for misrepresentation and recovery of funds". Meanwhile, events and functions at the football club are having to be cancelled, including parties for primary school leavers, due to the ongoing issues.

Friday July 11: Tarnia Elsworth of the Shrimps Trust said the club was "effectively grinding to a halt". The club is, by now, under a transfer embargo preventing them from signing new players.

Saturday July 12: Panjab Warriors has raised formal complaints with the National League. They have called for an investigation - alleging breaches of the Owners' and Directors' Test (OADT) which owners have to pass to show they are fit and proper to own a football club.

Monday July 14 In an interview with 'The Ugly Game' website, Rod Taylor, former co-chairman of Morecambe, says the club has "only days left, literally days.”

Rod Taylor (right) with fellow former co-chairman Graham Howse.

Tuesday July 15: Fans club together to raise money for a treat for the playing staff, who still have not been paid in full. Morecambe defeat Hyde United 5-2 in a pre-season friendly.

Wednesday July 16: Morecambe announce their upcoming pre-season fixture against Barrow AFC on Tuesday July 22 at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium will now be played behind closed doors.

Thursday July 17: The Shrimps Trust reveal the name of a person they say that two different sources have told them is in talks over the sale. Mr Whittingham released a statement saying "recent guesses" on the identity of a prospective new buyer of the club are "not accurate".

Friday July 18: Beyond Radio and national media visit the club to speak to former directors and fans about the crisis. Mr Whittingham releases a statement saying the consortium buying Bond Group's major shareholding in Morecambe FC is "led by Mr Jonny Cato" and that "sales agreements will be completed today" with a "further announcement to follow today". No further announcement is made.

Saturday July 19: Morecambe draw 1-1 away at Marine in a pre season friendly. Panjab Warriors "express deep concern and strongly contest yesterday’s public announcement by Mr Jason Whittingham regarding a proposed sale of Morecambe Football Club to a consortium including named individual Mr Jonny Cato".

Sunday July 20: Morecambe FC announces its pre-season friendly with Barrow, scheduled for Tuesday July 22, has been cancelled.

Monday July 21: The Shrimps Trust supporters group say that "we understand that the (Barrow) fixture on Tuesday has been cancelled as the players as a group have decided not to play until the current ownership situation is resolved" and "we support their decision".

Tuesday July 22: BBC Radio Lancashire report that they've spoken to Derek Adams (below), Morecambe FC manager, who says "the players are not on strike and they all trained today at the training ground. Their professionalism has been magnificent during this difficult time. We all want this situation to be resolved and the best outcome for Morecambe Football Club." Morecambe announces their game with AFC Fylde on Saturday will go ahead.

Wednesday July 23: A group of Morecambe FC shareholders issue an ultimatum to the owner - sell the club within 48 hours or face High Court action. Wright and Lord Solicitors, of Morecambe, say a 'minority shareholder' action could be taken against Bond Group Investments and Jason Whittingham in an effort to force the long-awaited sale of the Shrimps.

Friday July 25: The National League gives Mr Whittingham until noon on Monday to meet terms they'd outlined to him in writing. They are due to meet on Monday afternoon to "discuss possible further sanctions".

Saturday July 26: Morecambe draw 0-0 away at AFC Fylde in a pre-season friendly.

Sunday July 27: Jason Whittingham releases a public statement saying: "Bond Group Investments has continued to work with the consortium led by Jonny Cato in their efforts to acquire the majority shareholding in Morecambe Football Club. Whilst talks are ongoing, it is clear that continual negative press statements impacting on the club, have given them cause for concern and pause. Alongside this, Bond Group had agreed to an offer, made by a representative of, and on behalf of, the Panjab Warriors, and are ready to sell on that basis. Despite numerous attempts over the past week to contact Panjab Warriors regarding their offer, and our willingness to complete, we have not heard from them. We now urge the Panjab Warriors to make contact in an effort to complete on the sale." Beyond Radio has approached Panjab Warriors for comment.

Monday July 28: The planned High Court action by a group of Morecambe FC minority shareholders, hoping to force a sale of the club, has stalled. Wright and Lord Solicitors said: "Over the past week, it has proved impossible for anybody involved to directly reach any of the Panjab Warriors representatives. Without the evidential support from Panjab Warriors and their commitment to buy, any court application at this stage is futile."

TIMELINE of events from September 2022 to December 2024.

Timeline: How the Morecambe FC sale saga has dragged on for two years - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: National League threatens "further sanctions" amid fears for future of club - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC Crisis: High Court ultimatum as shareholders give owner 48 hour deadline to sell - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Pre-season match "will go ahead" amid dismay over club's future - Beyond Radio

INTERVIEWS: "Anger, frustration, sadness" - Fans unite at Morecambe FC over club crisis - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Owner names head of prospective new buyers of club - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Fans rally round to offer support to playing staff - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: "Club effectively grinding to a halt" - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Panjab Warriors threaten legal action after Shrimps sale U-turn - Beyond Radio

Morecambe FC crisis: Owner announces last-minute new buyer of club - Beyond Radio

Businesses rally round to help Morecambe FC staff as wages remain unpaid - Beyond Radio